Merriam-Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster [376]
3 : a particular disposition of mind or character : INCLINATION — used in pl. 4 : an emblematic design Synonyms [1] artifice, dodge, gimmick, jig, ploy, scheme, sleight, stratagem, trick, wile—more at TRICK [2] implement, instrument, tool, utensil—more at IMPLEMENT usually devices [3] bent, disposition, genius, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn—more at INCLINATION 1devil noun [ORIGIN: ME devel, fr. OE dēofol, fr. LL diabolus, fr. Gk diabolos, lit., slanderer, fr. diaballein to throw across, slander, fr. dia- across + ballein to throw] 1 often cap : the personal supreme spirit of evil 2 : an evil spirit : DEMON 3 : a wicked person 4 a : an energetic, reckless, or dashing person b : a person prone to mischief 5 : an individual human : FELLOW Synonyms [2] demon, fiend, ghoul, imp—more at DEMON [3] beast, evildoer, fiend, heavy, knave, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scalawag, scamp, varlet, villain, wretch—more at VILLAIN [4b] hellion, imp, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, scamp, urchin—more at SCAMP 2devil verb -iled or -illed; -il·ing or -il·ling 1 : to season highly <~ed eggs> 2 : TEASE, ANNOY dev·il·ish adjective 1 : befitting a devil : EVIL; also : MISCHIEVOUS 2 : exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected : EXTREME Synonyms demonic, diabolical, evil, fiendish, satanic—more at FIENDISH impish, knavish, mischievous, rascally, roguish, sly, waggish, wicked—more at MISCHIEVOUS dev·il·ish·ly adverb : in a devilish manner Synonyms excessively, inordinately, monstrously, overly, overmuch, too—more at TOO dev·il·ish·ness noun : the quality or state of being devilish Synonyms impishness, knavery, mischief, mischievousness, rascality, shenanigans, waggery, wickedness—more at MISCHIEF dev·il·ment noun : MISCHIEF dev·il·ry or dev·il·try noun, plural -il·ries or -il·tries 1 : action performed with the help of the devil 2 : action that annoys or irritates : MISCHIEF de·vi·ous adjective 1 : deviating from a straight line 2 : ERRANT 3 3 a : deviating from a right, accepted, or common course b : not straightforward : CUNNING ; also : tending or having power to deceive Synonyms [1] crooked, serpentine, sinuous, tortuous, winding—more at CROOKED [3b] artful, cagey, crafty, cunning, foxy, guileful, slick, sly, subtle, wily—more at ARTFUL 1devise verb de·vised; de·vis·ing [ORIGIN: ME, fr. AF deviser to divide, distinguish, invent, fr. VL *divisare, fr. L dividere to divide] 1 : to form in the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas or principles : INVENT 2 : PLOT 3 : to give (real estate) by will Synonyms concoct, contrive, cook, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, think—more at INVENT 2devise noun 1 : a disposing of real property by will 2 : a will or clause of a will disposing of real property 3 : property given by will de·vi·tal·ize verb : to deprive of life or vitality